Question · Q1 2026
Chris St. Mark asked a two-part question: first, about the 100 basis point improvement in KLA's share for 2 nanometer gate-all-around (GAA) and whether this still applies to 3A, and second, about the advanced packaging share (estimated at 50%) and if advanced back-end inspection process control is becoming higher than front-end. He also followed up on the use of front-end tools for back-end packaging, questioning if it's 'overkill' and if KLA would introduce new tools for back-end packaging.
Answer
CFO Bren Higgins clarified that advanced packaging process control intensity is still below front-end. CEO Rick Wallace confirmed that N2 (2 nanometer) overall shows an improvement in intensity over N3, driven by architecture changes, larger dies, and more litho layers. He also explained that customers specifically requested KLA's front-end portfolio for back-end packaging due to the high cost of yield failure, and that KLA has roadmaps for advanced packaging, which is still in its early stages.